Recap: Pradeep propose Keerthy and she accept his proposal.

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Keerthy and Pavi reached home and settled on the couch. Keerthy's face was glowing with happiness.

"So," Pavi teased, "you are committed now. Seems like madam will be busy from now on. Will you have time for us henceforth?"

Keerthy smirked. "Oh really? What about your secret boyfriend?"

Pavi blinked and stuttered, "Hey, there is nothing like that."

"So why are you nervous then? You better spill it. Who is he?"

"Stop blabbering and go get ready for your dinner."

"Don't change the topic. Now come on, tell me who he is."

Pavi rolled her eyes and gave in. "Fine, I will tell you, but not now. When the time comes, I will. Anyway, when are you going to tell Sanju?"

"Soon after the cosmetic launch. We'll go and meet her and tell her everything."

Later that night, Pradeep took Keerthy on a dinner date. They spent a long time together, talking and sharing their hearts.

A day before the new cosmetic launch, Aryan made a confidential call to Chandrasekar and requested a private meeting at his hotel. Chandrasekar agreed and drove over. Ranjith guided him to Aryan's private cabin.

"Hello sir. Welcome," Aryan greeted him.

Chandrasekar sat down and got straight to the point. "So, what is the reason for this sudden confidential meet?"

Aryan played an audio recording, Maya's voice discussing plans to adulterate the cosmetic samples with hazardous chemicals. He then showed video clips of Maya meeting research personnel and media representatives, clearly orchestrating a smear campaign.

"Hope you now got the reason behind the meet," Aryan said.

Chandrasekar remained quiet, processing the weight of what he had just seen.

"I'll make it simple. Tell your daughter to cancel all her plans and not interfere with the launch. We'll discuss everything else after the launch."

"What are you planning after the launch?" Chandrasekar asked.

"We'll talk about that later. For now, these evidences will remain with me."

Chandrasekar offered, "Let us clear this by ending the partnership. What do you say?"

Aryan nodded slightly. "I'll think about it—if the launch happens successfully without your daughter's cunning acts."

"Fine. I'll take care."

Chandrasekar left and immediately called Maya to meet him. He waited, clearly agitated. Maya arrived, confused at his unusual tension.

"Dad, why did you call me?"

"What the hell are you doing, Maya?" he barked.

"What are you talking about now? Tell me clearly."

"Aryan has all the evidence of your plan to sabotage the cosmetic launch. I've told you repeatedly—don't drag personal matters into business. When will you listen?"

Maya was quiet.

"I'm asking you something, Maya. Open your mouth and tell me now."

"Dad, I want to bring down Sanjana or at least kill her."

"Why are you so obsessed? I never thought you'd act like this."

"I love Aryan. Whatever I do is for him. I don't care about business."

"Shut up, Maya! What will you do after losing everything? Do you think Aryan will fall for a beggar Maya when he doesn't even spare a glance at a billionaire's daughter? Call all your men now and stop everything immediately."

"I'm sorry, Dad."

"If you don't end this now, you'll end up in jail. Aryan can sue us for massive compensation. I am not ready to see our business empire fall. Just do what I say."

It was the first time Maya had seen her father so furious. She quickly obeyed and called her men to cancel all her plans, speaking everything in front of her father.

"Now stay home until the product launch is over. Don't step out without my consent. That's an order," he shouted and stormed out.

The next day, Aryan and Sanju got ready for the launch. Sanju wore a gown that subtly hid her baby bump. With full security, they reached the office via the private elevator.

Inside the conference room, all executives gathered. Sanjana introduced the new product through a video conference while Pradeep addressed the media.

It was a grand success. Sanju was thrilled to see her ideas executed so well. She thanked the team for their hard work. Pavi and Keerthy hugged her, and Aryan invited them for the ritual at the Mansion.

"Finally, we'll get time to celebrate personal life," Pradeep said.

"Yes," Sanju smiled. "You girls come early."

Later, Sanju and Aryan left for home while Pradeep, Keerthy, and Pavi stayed back to monitor the product reviews.

"So, happy wifey?" Aryan teased.

"So happy. Thank you so much."

"Anything for you. Now that the work is done, Pradeep will handle the rest. You can relax at home."

Meanwhile, Maya was fuming as Asha informed her about the product's overwhelming success. Reviews praised the cosmetic line, and ARC's share value soared. Simultaneously, Aryan's engineering college project was underway and already becoming a national sensation. His construction business had climbed to the top, cementing his place as a dominant figure in every industry he entered.

The next day, Aryan and Chandrasekar met once again to discuss the next steps. The meeting was held in Aryan's private office. Aryan, Pradeep, and Ranjith were present along with ARC's research head and Aryan's lawyer. Chandrasekar arrived with Nanda and his legal team. The atmosphere was tense as both parties sat across the table.

"Sir, this is our research head," Aryan began. "I want you and your lawyers to listen to him before we start the discussion."

The research head stood and addressed the room. "Maya madam contacted me personally. She offered a large sum of money to sabotage the product and its launch. This is the amount she gave me." He placed the money on the table, letting everyone see.

Chandrasekar narrowed his eyes. "How were you contacted by Maya?"

Pradeep raised his hand slightly. "I was the one who introduced him to Maya. If I hadn't done that, she would have found someone else to execute her plan. So, I made sure the plan would go against her. In simple terms, he was set by us to work for us until we successfully launched the product."

After presenting his evidence, the research head was escorted out of the room under protection.

"Now, let's discuss," Aryan said, turning to Pradeep. "Pradeep, go ahead."

Pradeep placed a file on the table, deliberately keeping it just out of Chandrasekar's reach.

"What is this?" Chandrasekar asked.

"These are the documents of the shares Maya transferred in my name to make me work for her," Pradeep replied.

"Bullshit."

"Yes, of course," Pradeep smirked. "But now I hold 40% of DC Group's shares, which means I can become a board member of your empire. Isn't that right, sir?" He turned to Chandrasekar's lawyer, who gave a reluctant nod.

"Good. Now coming to the partnership agreement. We clearly stated that any party involved in harassment or actions against the business would lose the partnership, forfeit the investment, and pay a compensation of 100 crores. Since we have concrete evidence of Maya's sabotage, DC Group loses its rights over ARC Cosmetics. The invested amount will not be returned, and you'll need to pay 100 crores to ARC within ten days. Am I right, lawyer?"

The lawyer nodded again.

Chandrasekar glared at Aryan. "Are you threatening me to close down my entire business?"

"Sir," Aryan said calmly, "I still respect you and always will. What Pradeep said is only to make you aware of the current situation."

Chandrasekar sighed. "Fine. I will pay everything and settle within the stipulated time once you give me official notice to terminate the partnership."

Aryan leaned forward. "Sir, if you go down that path, you'll lose everything. And I don't want that."

"Don't beat around the bush, Aryan."

"Fine. I will return the 40% shares Pradeep received back to you. You will also get back the investment you made when the partnership began."

Chandrasekar looked confused. "Why would you do that?"

"Simple. Just one condition. You will send Maya out of the country. I don't want her near me or my wife."

"Aryan..."

"Sir, it's not like you're abandoning her. You still have businesses abroad. She can stay there."

Chandrasekar took a moment before nodding. "I agree."

"Fine," Aryan replied. "We'll settle now. She has two days to leave the country. If she doesn't, I will use the evidence to send her behind bars."

Chandrasekar gave a bitter smile. "You're becoming too smart lately, Aryan."

Aryan smiled. "Your experience combined with mine, sir. So, credits to you."

They proceeded to sign the documents Aryan's lawyer had already prepared to dissolve the partnership. Pradeep signed the necessary papers to transfer the shares back to Chandrasekar.

"You invested 75 crores," Aryan continued, "but the compensation repayment is 100 crores. So, you just have to pay us 25 crores for final settlement."

Chandrasekar turned to his assistant. "Rajesh, get the payment arranged immediately."

Rajesh hurried out and returned shortly with the amount, handing it over to Aryan.

Chandrasekar stood up. "Everything is settled, Aryan. We no longer share any relationship—business or personal."

Aryan nodded. "It's already late. Have a safe journey, sir. You have two days to send your daughter out of here."

Without another word, Chandrasekar turned and left, seething with anger at his daughter for bringing their empire to the brink of collapse.

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A/N:

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